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Posted by dukes on Feb-23-2006 13:29:

moving to france

hey im from the Uk and am thinking of getting a job in france. The job has a english language in the office policy since its multi national. but i have concerns about what it would be like living in france since i dont know how to speak or read french. so im basicly just wondering if english is well known in france so that at least i wouldnt be totaly helpless when i first arrive until i learn enough. just little things like going down to a shop would be a worry to me until learned enough french

thanx for any replys

Posted by Cyber on Feb-23-2006 13:38:

I think it depend on the city. For exemple, if you go to Paris, it would be more easy for you to find someone understanding english than in Strasbourg for exemple where more people speak German instead of english because of the proximity of Germany

But don't worry, when I was 11, I left France to go to Germany whithout knowing any words of german and after 2 weeks it was ok, I was able to understand and to speak the minimum to survive

ps : sorry for my bad english

Posted by PyrofraG on Feb-23-2006 13:41:

Hi and Welcome in us country

I think you have to learn some french sentences, because depending on the town where you will work asking for bread in english will not be understood everywhere in France....

Posted by maxxyme on Feb-23-2006 13:56:

C'est pas pour dire mais... je suis s�r que m�me � Paris c'est pas gagn�.

J'ai fait quelques connaissances r�cemment, de personnes relativement jeunes, et 2 disaient ne pas savoir 1 mot d'anglais (�ges: 21 et 28).
Et ce n'�taient pas des incultes, loin de l�.

Posted by dukes on Feb-23-2006 16:03:

well i have not moved yet. it would be paris where the job is. i know a very small amount of french but i couldnt read any. buying and eating dog food is one big worry!

Posted by _IDS_ on Feb-23-2006 16:17:

Posted by anne348 on Feb-23-2006 18:35:

quote:
Originally posted by dukes
well i have not moved yet. it would be paris where the job is. i know a very small amount of french but i couldnt read any. buying and eating dog food is one big worry!

lol, you will have to do like I did when I arrived in Antwerp (I didn't speak a single word of Dutch): in the supermarkets, just look at the pictures on packages and don't buy anything you don't know

It will be difficult at the beginning as French people usually don't speak English correctly and therefore are too ashamed to try (even in Paris, but is it more because they don't want to make the effort?!). Anyway, you will learn quickly the basics of our tongue, and you will find so many other things to enjoy in Paris that you will certainly forget this language problem!

Good luck

Posted by d-miurge on Feb-23-2006 18:48:

You'll see that you'll be able to communicate in french quickly, ie some weeks (it depends on your skills ). It will be even better if you take some lessons!

In Paris, ppl understand english, they are not fluent, but the universal language of hands works instead!

Posted by d-miurge on Feb-23-2006 18:54:

quote:
Originally posted by anne348
Anyway, you will learn quickly the basics of our tongue

Especially in some libertines nightclub.

Posted by anne348 on Feb-23-2006 19:27:

quote:
Originally posted by d-miurge

Especially in some libertines nightclub.

LOL

D�sol�e j'ai parfois des expressions en anglais qui sont bien "Frenchy", je ne suis pas fran�aise pour rien! Mais en g�n�ral les gens aiment bien

Posted by Thib' on Feb-23-2006 21:13:

dude, if you come to Lille i can help you!

Just bring some luggages full of all english ale you can find, take an Eurostar to Lille and you'll learn all you want on french beers...

Posted by anne348 on Feb-23-2006 21:25:

quote:
Just bring some luggages full of all english ale you can find

don't you think you have enough beer at home!!!!!

Posted by Thib' on Feb-23-2006 21:56:

quote:
Originally posted by anne348

don't you think you have enough beer at home!!!!!

my deer, you should know that a real student of Lille has never enough beer @ home, especially when he lives near Belgium, the real country of beer...

Beer... expands conciousness (Tiesto Live @ Energy 2000, 6eme track)

Posted by maxxyme on Feb-24-2006 10:56:

quote:
Originally posted by severnayaprods
Beer... expands conciousness (Tiesto Live @ Energy 2000, 6eme track)

LMAO....

don't you think you drink too much, son of a... Beer...

Posted by jdat on Feb-24-2006 15:21:

Have you actually ever been to France?
I suggest you at least stay here for a week or two before you make the decision to move.

If coming here for work is a temporary thing I wouldn't beat myself over because of not knowing the language but if you're thinking long term well learning French is a must I'd say so.

Sure Paris is the city with the most english speaking people in the country but really they aren't enough and they're especially NOT in places where a foreigner living here might need them ( supermarket, basic shops etc ).
You're most likely to find english speakers in high street stores ( luxurious stuff and for all frivulous shopping that isn't consider daily needs ).

Now here's something you may like, there are some communities of english speaking foreigners that have their own newspapers and stores and stuff like that ( sorry can't give you more detail but I know these things exist ) but I also recommend you avoid associating with these people.
No there's nothing wrong with being homesick and wanting to be with people who speak your language, but if you do that exclusively you will not integrate with the local culture and learn the language.
Many people fall into that trap when moving somewhere abroad by trying to gather up with their similar peers.
Check out www.craigslist.org city of Paris for different local things.

I suggest you get some language cds!
There's a real good series done by Michel Thomas called Learn French. ( if you want I can get the french one to you ).
It's one of the most natural approaches to learning a language that exists out there ( I used the method with other languages but not french seeing I'm born here ).
You must keep in mind that learning a language is worthless with books. It's only by using the language that you can assimilate the finer details and truly become fluent.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. Making a big move like that isn't an easy thing to do! I've moved around so many times it's made me 20 years older

Posted by Shito on Feb-24-2006 22:54:

You can also improve your french skills by watching TV series in French. A few examples : Sous le Soleil, Plus belle la vie and Samantha are probably among of the greatest ones !

Posted by jdat on Feb-24-2006 23:17:

quote:
Originally posted by Shito
You can also improve your french skills by watching TV series in French. A few examples : Sous le Soleil, Plus belle la vie and Samantha are probably among of the greatest ones !

That's like recommending Santa Barbara or Desperate Housewives to learn english

Not tbe best recommendations.

But seriously learning a language by watching tv is one of the best things you can do!

Posted by dukes on Feb-27-2006 11:09:

yeah i would definately be trying to learn the language. it was just the start where it would be "oh my god i cant talk to anyone" i mean if barely any people in france had even basic knowlage of english (sadly like what uk is with french) then i think id be, well screwed :P

thanks for the advice tho